Windscreen washer at the MOT: which cars fail on it most
2.7% of failed initial MOT tests in 2025 recorded this defect: 245,215 of 9,185,328. By age, it was most common on vehicles 20 years old and over (3.5%) and least common on vehicles under 3 years old (2.2%).
It is one of the 10 most common MOT failures on 15 of the 332 car models we cover. Against vehicles of the same age, it was most common on the MG HS, the Toyota Yaris Cross and the Citroen C3 Picasso. On the MG HS, 6.6% of failed tests had it, against 2.3% for all vehicles of the same age.
The DVSA records it as “Washer not working”. A failed test can have several defects.
What the MOT checks
The windscreen washers don't work.
The MOT inspection manual lists “Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen” as a major defect, so the vehicle fails.
The manual also says: “Washers must provide enough fluid for the wipers to clear the windscreen effectively.”
Car models where it is most common
| # | Car | Share of failed tests | Against same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MG HS3,794 failed tests | 6.6%252 tests | 2.9×all: 2.3% |
| 2 | Toyota Yaris Cross1,298 failed tests | 5.6%73 tests | 2.4×all: 2.3% |
| 3 | Citroen C3 Picasso1,616 failed tests | 5.3%85 tests | 2.2×all: 2.4% |
| 4 | Volkswagen T-Cross3,508 failed tests | 4.8%167 tests | 2.1×all: 2.3% |
| 5 | Cupra Formentor1,628 failed tests | 4.7%77 tests | 2.1×all: 2.3% |
| 6 | Ford Puma7,714 failed tests | 4.6%355 tests | 2.0×all: 2.3% |
| 7 | Renault Twingo7,985 failed tests | 4.8%387 tests | 1.8×all: 2.6% |
| 8 | Kia Stonic3,873 failed tests | 4.2%161 tests | 1.8×all: 2.4% |
| 9 | SEAT Arona8,761 failed tests | 4.1%356 tests | 1.7×all: 2.4% |
| 10 | Mercedes-Benz S-Class2,067 failed tests | 4.2%86 tests | 1.7×all: 2.5% |
| 11 | Hyundai i2036,388 failed tests | 4.2%1,530 tests | 1.6×all: 2.6% |
| 12 | Audi Q28,269 failed tests | 3.8%314 tests | 1.6×all: 2.4% |
| 13 | Dacia Sandero Stepway1,483 failed tests | 3.5%52 tests | 1.5×all: 2.3% |
| 14 | Kia XCeed2,909 failed tests | 3.2%93 tests | 1.4×all: 2.3% |
| 15 | Audi e-tron1,780 failed tests | 2.8%50 tests | 1.2×all: 2.3% |
Only models where this defect is one of their 10 most common MOT failures, with at least 50 failed tests, have a figure. So a model that isn't listed can still have it, just less often than its other faults. Vans, pick-ups and taxis are left out, as in our rankings. × is the model's share divided by the share for all vehicles of the same age.
How common it is by car age
- Under 3 years, first used 2023 to 20242.2% of failed tests, against 2.7% for all ages240 failed tests
- 3 to 5 years, first used 2020 to 20222.3% of failed tests, against 2.7% for all ages15,441 failed tests
- 6 to 9 years, first used 2016 to 20192.4% of failed tests, against 2.7% for all ages51,133 failed tests
- 10 to 14 years, first used 2011 to 20152.5% of failed tests, against 2.7% for all ages85,628 failed tests
- 15 to 19 years, first used 2006 to 20102.9% of failed tests, against 2.7% for all ages64,166 failed tests
- 20 years and over, first used 1985 to 20053.5% of failed tests, against 2.7% for all ages28,607 failed tests
All-vehicle figures cover vehicles first used from 1985 to 2024: 9,185,328 of the 9,193,164 failed initial tests in 2025.
How these figures are counted
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. A defect found on more than one wheel, lamp or joint at the same test counts once. "Same age" is the defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the model's own failed tests in each year.
An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. These figures show where a defect was recorded, not why, and not what a repair costs. Figures: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. What the MOT checks: MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles, GOV.UK, read 1 Nov 2026.
How we choose and rank these defectsOther windscreen, wipers, mirrors faults
Share of all failed initial MOT tests in 2025.